Satoshi Morie has a long trajectory in the shoujo manga realm, particularly in the romance department. In Hakuji, Morie catalyzes how difficult can the creative process of an artist can be… especially if there is also love involved! Our protagonist is Akiharu Manabe, a young artist that has to touch whatever he is going to draw to understand it. When he meets Seika Ichijou, he struggles between his respect for her and his desire to draw her (hence to touch her).

Mars and Hakuji start strong in the artsy side and remain linked to creativity. The protagonists are artists who find both inspiration and love in their muse! The tone of the stories is also bittersweet, as the couples have to first clarify what they want from each other and then deal with the world. The main difference is the illustration style of the mangas, which reflect how different are the times when they were created. The drawing also looks more intense in Hakuji, so be prepared with some cold water 😉 Morie is keen to short stories as well, so Hakuji makes for a good, quick read.

This manga was created by the same author of Mars, who is a veteran in the shoujo manga realm. On this occasion, our story tells us the many woes of Takatou Masaki, a guy with conflicts due to his hot temper. It looks like he is destined to be a perpetual problem until he meets Yuuki Kanako and bonds with her. Will the love story be that easy? Well, this is Fuyumi Souryo, so of course not 😉

If you liked Mars because of the storytelling and the pacing, you will like Boyfriend. The art style is also similar. Souryo’s stories are not your typical fluffy shoujo, so be prepared for some bitterness and seriousness along the way. Also, despite the fact that there are tragedies in both mangas, Mars is darker. So, if you wanted a happier version of Mars, look no further than in Boyfriend!

Yayoi Ogawa has some experience with the josei genre, meaning that when we would like to read a bittersweet manga, we could check a few by her. In Kiss & Never Cry, Yayoi reminds us that running away from home is a usual fantasy among teens. However, what happens when it doesn’t go as planned? Leon will have to help his friend Michiru to overcome just that.

In Mars and Kiss & Never Cry, the couples have to deal with traumas from an early age. The stories start in a rather regular and innocent way, only to turn serious later. Also, the protagonists fuel out their worries, sufferings and ultimately their joys into creative endeavours. The main difference is that Kiss & Never Cry revolves around skating, which gives a more dynamic tone to the panels.

Miyoshi Toumori has some experience with shoujo manga, particularly the cozy romantic ones. However, if you think girls always are the delicate ones, you should pay attention to Maria Kawai. The protagonist of Akuma to Love Song is serious trouble wherever she goes because of her blunt personality and arrogant tone. So, will Yuusuke be able to bond with her? Or will it be Shin?

The most obvious characteristic that Mars and Akuma to Love Song have in common is the romance side. However, both stories revolve around characters who appear to be some way but are troubled deep inside. And that does not only apply to the protagonists, although they are the most obvious choice! Both reads can become uncomfortable, so sorry cozy shoujo lovers, these two tell us the harsh truths of life. The main difference is that Mars deals with the more difficult topics in a deeper way. Also, we have a prominent triangle in Akuma to Love Song.

Yoko Kamio might not be the most prolific veteran mangaka around, but she has offered us high quality works. Just remember her most famous Hana yori dango! In Cat Street, Kamio introduces us to Keito Aoyama. Despite her young age, Keito already has suffered a breakdown and quit her acting career. However, an encounter with a curious and magical school called “El Listón” might be just exactly what she needs to relink with other people and recover her confidence in herself.

Keito and Kira (the protagonist of Mars) are very similar at first sight. They are not our regular expressive and happy girl, right? Both also have an acute sensibility, as they are artists amid of different kind. Both stories also talk about trauma and the bitter side of life. It is thanks to those surrounding the protagonists that they find a way to communicate with the world. However, Cat Street focuses more in the healing process and in friendship.

Masami Tsuda had some experience with shoujo manga when she hit the jackpot with… Guessed already? With Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou of course! The manga is even known with a nickname (Karekano) and was adapted to anime in 1998. Our story revolves around Yukino Miyazawa, who apparently is the most perfect student ever. When an even more perfect student under the name of Soichiro Arima appears, Yukino is furious and competes with him, but what happens when Soichiro confesses to her?!

Mars and Karekano are mainly about the many whoes and joys of a relationship. In both cases, the couples don’t have it easy. Despite of the humorous and light-hearted tone of Karekano, there is abuse and a dark past particularly in the case of Soichiro. Both stories also deal with appearances and harsh truths. Nevertheless, Mars and Karekano belong to the category of unforgettable mangas where we empathize with the protagonists and really want them to succeed in the end.